This study explores the socio-economic development path of the former Trucial State of Dubai, now an economic powerhouse within the Federal State of the United Arab Emirates. This thesis emanated out of the researcher’s need to understand the development trajectory of Dubai from the perspective of a development discourse, as literature and debates on the city’s developmental trajectory have generally focused on micro-and macro-economic variables and a sectoral emphasis without considering the total and complex development matrix. The author proposes a rentier, developmental and competition (RDC) Model as a basis for understanding the state-led social and economic development of the Emirate of Dubai. Empirically, the study examines a whole raft of home-grown social and economic development policies that fall exclusively within the domain of the Dubai Strategic Plans (DSPs). Conceptually, the thesis argues that although the Dubai Inc model has successfully changed the socio-economic landscape of the Emirate, nevertheless, a soft underbelly of the model displays the exploitative nature of unbridled free market capitalism. Methodologically, triangulation backed up the qualitative research methodology by utilising a mixed-methods approach to enhance the richness of the research. Specific data collection methods used included in-depth semi-structured interviews and non-participative observation, supported by documentation analyses of relevant documents. The research findings unambiguously demonstrated that the socio-economic transformation of Dubai, between 1998 and 2008, was a result of the aforementioned hybrid model, which this thesis uses as its theoretical framework. The conclusion drawn from the study is that there is no one path to development; the Government of Dubai is cognisant of that and has thus used the capacity of the state to transform the once impoverished and marginalised sheikhdom into a ‘commodified’ city-corporate entity. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Developmental Studies)

The implementation of educational reform in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposes a change agent role on secondary school department heads however the assistance-intensive process is inhibited by the current educational structure. As the concept of teacher empowerment becomes accepted, some department heads have the ability to develop a professional learning community while others are unable to do so. The present study considers the present and ideal role of the department head as a change agent facilitating the implementation of educational reform in the UAE. A sequential mixed method mode of inquiry with two phases was employed. In phase one, department heads were profiled from a self, superior and subordinate perspective and a conceptual framework related to patterns of effective change agent behaviour was developed. Findings show that effective change agent characteristics of department heads included priorities related to change implementation and teacher support, a collaborative leadership style, seven strategies related to a participatory, supportive and facilitative approach and ten skills that motivate, energise and encourage teachers. The identification of two ineffective department heads by teacher informants in phase one provided an opportunity to study the work of effective and ineffective department heads as cases in-depth. Case study findings confirm the conceptual framework because effective heads were rated high for all characteristics identified, while ineffective heads were rated low. All department heads accepted the change agent role unofficially with no additional time release, but effective heads took ownership of the process and empowered teachers while ineffective heads provided assistance on request. Effective heads used interpersonal skills and asserted themselves as technical experts while ineffective heads were passive and were considered to be traditional teachers. Strategies and skills employed by effective heads included resource linking, collaborative problem solving, facilitation, support and administration/organisation while ineffective department heads used resolution giving and providing technical assistance. Time constraints, restrictive school schedules and role ambiguity were identified as major impediments to the change agent role of department heads in his study. Nevertheless, the new curriculum is being implemented in all of the departments studied verifying that the department head is an untapped resource in the change process. / Educational Studies / D.Ed (Education Management)

This study addresses the specific barriers related to time delays in the treatment of patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction at the Al Ain Hospital accident and emergency unit in the United Arab Emirates. A comprehensive background of the UAE is given for the benefit of students who have limited access to the background and challenges facing medical and nursing personnel in providing thrombolythic therapy to patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction. The study will contribute to the continuous quality management and improvement of overall nursing and medical care of the AMI patient who is eligible for thrombolysis. An extensive literature review addresses the clinical manifestations and treatment of the patient suffering from AMI as well as the adverse effects of time delays in treatment during the acute phase of the disease. The researcher selected a quantitative, non-experimental descriptive and retrospective study. Data was collected by a structured instrument to gather the desired responses from the files of 457 selected patients admitted to the Al Ain Hospital. This study emphasizes the need to improve patient care by all health care personnel in an accident and emergency unit to prevent the delays in treatment in life threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction ensuring optimal and prompt time to thrombolyse. The improvement of awareness and commitment by health care providers such as nurses, doctors and ambulance personnel, can be achieved through education and training, commitment and dedication, absolute cooperation, collaboration and constant update on performance. Regular audits are essential with regard to door-to-needle time and performance of all health care providers. This study ultimately show that time constrains in attending to patients presenting with myocardial infarction should be addressed in utmost urgency. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

This study explores the socio-economic development path of the former Trucial State of Dubai, now an economic powerhouse within the Federal State of the United Arab Emirates. This thesis emanated out of the researcher’s need to understand the development trajectory of Dubai from the perspective of a development discourse, as literature and debates on the city’s developmental trajectory have generally focused on micro-and macro-economic variables and a sectoral emphasis without considering the total and complex development matrix. The author proposes a rentier, developmental and competition (RDC) Model as a basis for understanding the state-led social and economic development of the Emirate of Dubai. Empirically, the study examines a whole raft of home-grown social and economic development policies that fall exclusively within the domain of the Dubai Strategic Plans (DSPs). Conceptually, the thesis argues that although the Dubai Inc model has successfully changed the socio-economic landscape of the Emirate, nevertheless, a soft underbelly of the model displays the exploitative nature of unbridled free market capitalism. Methodologically, triangulation backed up the qualitative research methodology by utilising a mixed-methods approach to enhance the richness of the research. Specific data collection methods used included in-depth semi-structured interviews and non-participative observation, supported by documentation analyses of relevant documents. The research findings unambiguously demonstrated that the socio-economic transformation of Dubai, between 1998 and 2008, was a result of the aforementioned hybrid model, which this thesis uses as its theoretical framework. The conclusion drawn from the study is that there is no one path to development; the Government of Dubai is cognisant of that and has thus used the capacity of the state to transform the once impoverished and marginalised sheikhdom into a ‘commodified’ city-corporate entity. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Developmental Studies)

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of expatriate school leaders in the education system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study was motivated by a concern regarding the short-term entry of expatriates into the UAE education system, thereby questioning their overall impact in the UAE educational reform. The literature reviews focused on mentoring and leadership within education, and how these related to the UAE educational reform in particular. The empirical investigation used a qualitative, ethnographical case study design. The situated learning theory and the social constructivist theory were used as conceptual frameworks for the study. Purposive and convenient sampling was employed to select five indigenous and five expatriate school leaders as participants for this study. Qualitative data collection was preceded by a pilot study in which an indigenous and an expatriate school leaders were informally interviewed. Individual interviews were thereafter conducted whereby participants were interviewed over a two-week period. The interviews were followed by focus group sessions that were gender specific. Notes were kept and all observations were documented throughout the study. Findings were that, according to the participants’ views, expatriate school leaders seemed to make little impact on current UAE education reform. Their impact was inhibited by dubious motives of many expatriate school leaders working in the UAE; cultural and religious barriers between expatriate and indigenous school leaders; language as a barrier; lack of role modelling; continuous changes in the UAE education system; poor attitudes of some indigenous school leaders; resistance to change; lack of sustainability and poor communication between school leaders and policy makers. Recommendations were provided to enhance the impact of expatriate school leaders within the UAE system. Firstly, expatriate impact could be enhanced through an intensive two-week induction programme and secondly, by means of a partnership development framework to improve the mentoring relationship between expatriate and indigenous school leaders. Ways to overcome the language barrier were also recommended. Additionally, the study provided recommendations for further research. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The literature, for example, Black and Stephens (1989), as well as Marchetti-Mercer (2009), emphasise that mental health professionals may be increasingly faced with the challenges linked to migration and expatriate life. There is also a paucity of information regarding expatriate adjustment in South African psychological literature, and to this end, the aim of this study was to examine how South African expatriate families adjust to a foreign environment like the Middle Eastern city of Dubai. In Dubai, many South African expatriates are employed in sectors such as hospitality, medicine, construction, education, including financial services and it is estimated that the number of South Africans living in Dubai are between 40 000 and 100 000 (The Homecoming Revolution, 2008:1). Expatriate families face the challenges of adjusting to different laws, climates, cultures, religions and social systems. They may experience lack of emotional support, grief, feelings of isolation and loneliness. Unfamiliar living conditions and a change of lifestyle may present as a crisis for certain families, manifesting in family conflict and financial hardship. Given the number of South African families living in Dubai, this study aimed to explore how these families adjusted to the living conditions of this region. A second aim of the study was to use the findings yielded from the data to formulate Gestalt therapeutic techniques, enabling family therapists to assist expatriate families with adjustment difficulties. A phenomenological system of enquiry was employed to study the experiences of six South African families and fifteen members of a focus group. Family members of the six family case studies were interviewed, their experiences audio-recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. Three children elected to provide drawings of their experiences. The focus group discussion was also audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Upon analysis, six common themes emerged, namely, social support, personality factors, environmental conditions, acculturation, grief and disillusion. The findings of the study assisted the researcher in formulating five therapeutic Gestalt techniques that would facilitate and optimise communication amongst expatriate family members. Three of the therapeutic techniques were designed by the researcher, and two were adapted from existing Gestalt techniques. It is hoped that the findings in the present study will assist in amplifying the existing knowledge base regarding Gestalt therapy techniques for families and children, including the current research on expatriate adjustment and the psychological ramifications related to this phenomenon. / Social Work / D. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The literature, for example, Black and Stephens (1989), as well as Marchetti-Mercer (2009), emphasise that mental health professionals may be increasingly faced with the challenges linked to migration and expatriate life. There is also a paucity of information regarding expatriate adjustment in South African psychological literature, and to this end, the aim of this study was to examine how South African expatriate families adjust to a foreign environment like the Middle Eastern city of Dubai. In Dubai, many South African expatriates are employed in sectors such as hospitality, medicine, construction, education, including financial services and it is estimated that the number of South Africans living in Dubai are between 40 000 and 100 000 (The Homecoming Revolution, 2008:1). Expatriate families face the challenges of adjusting to different laws, climates, cultures, religions and social systems. They may experience lack of emotional support, grief, feelings of isolation and loneliness. Unfamiliar living conditions and a change of lifestyle may present as a crisis for certain families, manifesting in family conflict and financial hardship. Given the number of South African families living in Dubai, this study aimed to explore how these families adjusted to the living conditions of this region. A second aim of the study was to use the findings yielded from the data to formulate Gestalt therapeutic techniques, enabling family therapists to assist expatriate families with adjustment difficulties. A phenomenological system of enquiry was employed to study the experiences of six South African families and fifteen members of a focus group. Family members of the six family case studies were interviewed, their experiences audio-recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. Three children elected to provide drawings of their experiences. The focus group discussion was also audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Upon analysis, six common themes emerged, namely, social support, personality factors, environmental conditions, acculturation, grief and disillusion. The findings of the study assisted the researcher in formulating five therapeutic Gestalt techniques that would facilitate and optimise communication amongst expatriate family members. Three of the therapeutic techniques were designed by the researcher, and two were adapted from existing Gestalt techniques. It is hoped that the findings in the present study will assist in amplifying the existing knowledge base regarding Gestalt therapy techniques for families and children, including the current research on expatriate adjustment and the psychological ramifications related to this phenomenon. / Social Work / D. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The need for nurses to become culturally competent is well documented in transcultural nursing literature. The subjective multidimensional nature of pain makes it imperative for nurses to use assessment methods that are culturally congruent. This study set out to explore the differences and similarities in conceptualization, experience, expression and management of pain between nurses and clients in the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of the study was to develop guidelines in the cultural pain assessment in the UAE context. The findings confirmed that nurses rely on biomedical approaches in assessment and relief of pain; clients were found to rely on the family for emotional support and on nurses for pharmacological interventions. Clients used sensory descriptors, and analogy when describing pain, nurses relied on the technical background and experience. Religious factors had a significant impact on clients' pain behavior. This study offers nurses new insights into cultural assessment of pain. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

Health and safety issues have always been a major problem and concern in the construction industry. Wherever reliable records are available, construction is found to be one of the most dangerous on health and safety criteria, particularly in developing countries. Efforts have been made to address this problem, but the results have been far from satisfactory, as construction accidents continue to dominate the overall construction industry. Despite the programs implemented by government authorities and measures introduced by companies themselves, the number of construction accidents still remains alarmingly high. In developing countries, safety rules usually do not exist; if they do, the regulatory authority is usually very weak in implementing such rules effectively. The UAE is one of developing countries that are currently enjoying a strong growth in construction activities. Unfortunately, some sectors of its construction industry suffer from poor safety and health conditions. Any framework of the existing occupational and health conditions is fragmented and inadequately enforced, making construction sites more hazardous. It may even be argued that relevant regulations are outdated and irrelevant in day-to-day construction operations. From this perspective this research explores the approved methods adopted in the UK in order to improve the existing code of practice in the UAE and thus introduce the foundations on which appropriate health and safety systems may be built. A framework for Health and Safety management in the UK is suggested. To reach this objective an overview of the published materials as well as the legislation has been undertaken. Questionnaires were designed and distributed to potential construction industry players and interview sessions have been conducted to meet the first objective of the project which to determine the health and safety measures currently applied on construction sites. In addition, structured interviews were carried out with selected managers from a selection of construction and oil companies, medium and large size. This thesis specifically, it investigates the safety perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour of construction workers and management safety practices. Based upon the analysis of the results, this study has demonstrated that the majority of those questioned UAE construction companies have a poor degree of risk awareness and do not seems to take health and safety as an important issue.

The need for nurses to become culturally competent is well documented in transcultural nursing literature. The subjective multidimensional nature of pain makes it imperative for nurses to use assessment methods that are culturally congruent. This study set out to explore the differences and similarities in conceptualization, experience, expression and management of pain between nurses and clients in the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of the study was to develop guidelines in the cultural pain assessment in the UAE context. The findings confirmed that nurses rely on biomedical approaches in assessment and relief of pain; clients were found to rely on the family for emotional support and on nurses for pharmacological interventions. Clients used sensory descriptors, and analogy when describing pain, nurses relied on the technical background and experience. Religious factors had a significant impact on clients' pain behavior. This study offers nurses new insights into cultural assessment of pain. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)